Gooseberry pickle | nellikai oorugai recipe

Gooseberry pickle | Amla pickle

Pickles are usually a rare one which I make at home. When I was in India, I used to make a variety of pickles but after coming here to Singapore I generally make few varieties only and especially the Raw mango pickle, which Varsha loves the most. A few days back, when I met a friend in kids school, she wanted me to post the recipe for Gooseberry pickle (amla Pickle) I promised her that I will post it soon. The very next day another friend of mine happened to go to the Indian market and bought me these gooseberries and finally, i made the nellikai oorugai (Gooseberry pickle) When I called up my mom to ask for the recipe, she was busy that time and she told everything in a hurry. So I just followed her method and somehow made the gooseberry pickle, and it came out very well. I didn’t get the bright red color of the pickle as the reason being my chili powder was slightly old and the color was not there and also since I grind the mustard seeds the dark color dominated a little.  Here is the recipe for Gooseberry pickle: INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

• Wash the gooseberries and pat dry them. In a wide pan, boil water and add in the gooseberries. Add salt and turmeric powder to this and boil for some time (10 mins) till the gooseberries become soft. [ i didn’t add salt and turmeric and later tasting the pickle i felt i should have added it while boiling – This is to get the salt infused into the gooseberries) Do not over cook, check with a fork to see whether it is soft or not.

• Drain the water completely and take out the seeds from the gooseberries.Since it is cooked it is easy for you to take it out.

• Dry roast the mustard seeds and methi seeds. When cool grind this into a powder and keep it aside.

• In a pan add sesame oil and add the 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds and asafoetida.
• When it splutters add the ground mustard seeds and methi seed powder.( the powder won’t be very fine as it is small in quantity)
• Add the red chilli powder ,turmeric powder and salt. Saute in a low flame for few minutes and add in the cooked gooseberries.

• Mix them nicely for and let it be in the pan for a 5 minutes in a medium low flame.
• Switch off the flame and allow it to completely cool.
• Transfer this to an airtight container. Always handle with clean dry spoon.
• Enjoy with curd rice.        

Note:

1. Always cook the gooseberries with salt and turmeric powder.
2. I felt mine was slightly undercooked so you can cook it little extra to get the gooseberries soft in the pickle.
3. Add sesame oil as mentioned.